Lucy Mary

While they may be fun, house parties can be tiring to organise. Generally, everyone enjoys a good party, but having one at home brings challenges. For example, you may not be paying for the venue, but you will have to clean and put your living space back in order once the party is over. You may even have to hire someone to do the job. So, house parties have pros and cons, just like any other event. 

Photo by Kelsey Chance on Unsplash

To make the process easier, I've put together a list of things to consider when it comes to throwing a house party. 

Planning is, naturally, the first step. You can never plan enough. Even the most elaborate plans may go into an array because there are so many elements to manage. Still, planning can save you a lot of pain and help you avoid some problems that may arise at the last moment. 

To start with, ask yourself this: What is the purpose of the party? Is it a gathering of friends? Is it a celebration? Or perhaps you're getting the entire family together? Define the reason for the party: New Year, Christmas, Anniversary, Birthday—it can be absolutely anything. 

Once you have the purpose and goal in mind, it becomes easier to make important decisions, such as who to invite, the party date, the theme, etc. Planning involves envisioning the party in your head. Additionally, you need to start with the broader picture but also think about every little detail, like the dining tablescape and the type of cutlery you will be using. 

Setting the date of the party is another thing to consider. You want to pick a date everyone will be happy with, like a weekend or a bank holiday. Since you will be holding the party at your house, you will not be bound by the availability of the venue for the date. This way, house parties offer flexibility when it comes to selecting a date. This is why you must be extra careful and considerate with the date so that it is easy for all the invitees to attend the party. 

Photo by Kelsey Chance on Unsplash

Next, you must decide whom to invite. The guest list will depend on the occasion and purpose of the party. Make sure that everyone is comfortable with, or at the least does not have issues with, other attendees to your party. Inviting people who may not see eye to eye is not a good idea as it may ruin the festive mood of the party. 

After you have decided on your guest list, send out the invitations. For a more formal occasion, you may need to make and print out invitation cards. If the house party is more informal, send invitations by text or via a Whatsapp group. 

Make sure that the invitation clearly states all the details, such as the date, time, and other details, like the theme. 

The venue for the house party is not the issue, but making the space and setting up the party area is. A party usually requires open space to accommodate all attendees. This may mean moving around furniture or removing extra stuff so everyone can be present in the space together. 

Aside from moving your furniture, you may need to rent party furniture. This includes various kinds of seating arrangements, like sofas, chairs, and even bean bags or tables. The comfort of your guests is the number one priority and getting extra furniture may be necessary. 

The mood or vibe of the party is imperative. You can select a theme, but even without a theme, you can use decorations, lighting, layout, music, and other aesthetic elements to achieve an atmosphere. The ambience should help the attendees relax and enjoy themselves. 

Having a theme does help with making decisions as it narrows down the choices. There is no need to worry if you do not have a theme since you can get a lot of inspiration for house parties online. Forums are especially a great resource since you can connect with others who can provide you with practical solutions and tips on how to create the right ambience for your house party. 

You can't throw a party without offering food and drinks. You need to set the menu according to the tastes and preferences of the guests. Make special accommodations for any guest who follows a specific diet eg vegetarian or vegan diets. Always check if any of your guests have any food allergies so you can cater for them too. Another important thing to consider with food and drinks is the temperature they are served. Food and drinks should be appropriately hot or cold, depending upon what is being served. Be particular about arranging for heating or cooling the food so the guests can enjoy the meal. 

With music, games, and activities, a party is nothing if not fun. This is why entertainment, much like the food, is the heart and soul of any party. House parties are no different, though you may need to carefully think about the activities you will be arranging for your guests since there is limited space available. You can set up a gaming station or a karaoke machine, even getting a few good board games will do the trick as long as the entertainment consists of activities that everyone can participate in and enjoy. 

Hosting a party at your own house comes with a whole set of additional considerations. These may not be as fun as deciding the menu or the entertainment activities, but they are just as important. You must think about whether your house is convenient for all the guests to get to. 

You must be careful about the amount the noise and lights so you don't annoy your neighbours. Also, make sure to end the party at an appropriate time so everyone can safely get home. Finally, think about wrapping it all up; like doing the cleaning, transporting stuff you rented for the party, and storing the leftover food. 

House parties are so much fun. They bring together friends, family, and loved ones in the comfort of your home. While they are fun to host and attend, the amount of work that goes into organising and throwing a house party is immense. 

To make your party even more memorable and enjoyable, do not be afraid to ask for help if you can. Ask attendees for any aspect of the party they can assist with. If you have a friend who has a great sound system, you can borrow that. 

You can request a family member or a friend to help serve the food. This will give the guests a chance to participate as well, and they will enjoy the experience as long as they are willing. House parties should not be formal, uptight events. They should be cosy, comfortable, and, above all else, fun.